BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Thruway Authority's Executive Director said that New Yorkers should expect the expansion of cashless tolling to be statewide by the end of this year.
Matt Driscoll said this week that 70 gantries will be installed across 58 locations across the entire ticketed system.
Approximately 1,200 toll workers will continue working along the thruway but they will lose their jobs at the end of the year. Driscoll said there are training programs to help those employees find work in the private sector or other jobs for the state.
Cashless tolling came to Grand Island in March 2018, though the system came under fire from residents in Grand Island, some of whom were charged more than 20 times the nine cents it should have cost residents to cross the bridge. Those residents are urged to contact the phone number listed on the bill with any disputes over their bill.
“We don’t foresee upgrades being necessary on (the gantries) for a while,” Driscoll said. “It is the most modern equipment and technology that is available.”
More than $355 million will be used to transform the thruway to cashless tolling.